Xander Schauffele matches Rory McIlroy feat and completes 42-year first with historic Open win

Xander Schauffele delivered a golfing masterclass to win The 152nd Open at Royal Troon.

The American claimed a two-shot victory over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel to grab the second major of his career – and the calendar year.

He becomes the first player to win the PGA Championship and The Open in the same season since Rory McIlroy in 2014.

Schauffele’s victory also secures a clean sweep for Americans at the majors this year following the triumphs of Scottie Scheffler at The Masters and Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open.

But this was arguably the most impressive of all.

A ferocious test in Scotland left some of golf’s biggest names battered and bruised, but Schauffele conquered it with apparent ease.

Under the most intense pressure, the 30-year-old masterfully pieced together every aspect of the game from tee to green to shoot four-under on a back nine where only six other players broke par.

Qualifier Rose started one shot back on Sunday, alongside Schauffele, and his round of 67 was incredible in itself.

The Englishman was millimetres away on a number of putts which could have made for a different story.

But on a day when 65 barely seemed possible, the history books will say world no.3 Schauffele shot one of the all-time great rounds in Open history to win.

Besides matching McIlroy, he is the first player since golf legend Jack Nicklaus to shoot 65 in the final round of multiple majors to claim victory.

Schauffele also follows Tiger Woodsand Jordan Spieth as the third player ever to finish top-eight in all four majors and bag more than one win in the same year.